Thomas County cat. [volume] (Colby, Kan.) 1885-1891, 1887-08-18

show ye what this ere vigilance COM
mittee considers good for hoss-thievesr'
The wounded man was taken mp and
placed on horseback. two men were de-
tailed to guard each one of us and we
started back. l tried to explain nv
connection with the others. but was
silenced by the gruff voice of the lead
er, who assured me that I would have
chance to explain things at the trial.
This relieved me somewhat, as had
no doubt that could easily prove INV
innocence. We rode till about mid
night. when We came to a small cluster
of houses called Mineral Springs. We
drew up before long log house which
proved to be a saloon and hotel COM
Hned. The bar-room was lit up and
there were number of men inside and
horses tied outside. They gave loud
cheer when they saw the prisoners, and
there was a great deal of hurried con-
yersation. We were taken inside and
placed under guard. Twenty or thir-
ty men gathered in the room, when a
man said:
"Well. boys. we've brought 'em in.
an we got the bosses. Ireckon we d bet
ter try the men an fix every thing up
tonight The cheerman will please
come for ard"
A man clbowed his way through the
crowd and took his seat on box be-
hind card table. 1t was Buck Hawk
ms. felt still easier as l had no doubt
he would recognize me and set me at
liberty.
The trial was very informal and the
other two were quickly disposed of.
They claimed that they had found the
horses cached further up the crock
and never stole them. 1t was admit
ted that perhaps they had found them
hidden. but it was charged that some
others of the gang put them there.
Besides" said one man. 's'pOse they
did find 'em cached-what business
they got tryin' to run 'em out the
country?"
That's it, said Hawkins. whose
judicial mind instantly grasped this
important point, ''they hadn't no bust
ness at all an l reckon we'd better
hang 'em fer luck"
This was assented to with a yell and
Hawkins started to get up. saw that
l had been included with the others
and that must crowd in my defense.
1 accordingly asked them to hold on
and told my story. When I finished
short thick-set man showed his hands a
little deeper into his pockets and said:
Gentlemen, want o remark I've
heered that air story occasionally be-
fore this!'
This was greeted by a loud laugh
and every body agreed to it.
..But see here Hawkins" 1 said. my
heart beginning to sink, 'you know
me-you've seen me before"
''Oh. l reckon l seed We once" he
replied, without looking at me.
''Then you know I'm not horse
thief"
Cant say that I do. I saw We on a
steamboat a couple O. months ago.
but hoss-thieves can ride on steam
boats"
Like nearly every thing else this was
agreed to with loud applause. saw
that my chances were growing desper-
ate and used every argument in my
power to convice them that l was in
nOcent. The men l had fallen in with
put in their testimony in my behalf
but to no effect. They were especially
anxious tc see me hang after one of the
committee closely scrutinized me and
identified me as Doc Billings. one Of
the leaders of the gang. He looks
young but he's hard one" explained
the man. So it was settled that l
should hang with the others All
seemed to be in favor of carrying the
sentence out Immediately. Here
Hawkins rose and said:
Gentlemen. it wouldn't be fair
shake for the other boys-wait till
mornin' till they come i'll to help. Be
sides they may bring in some more of
the gang an we can string EN- all up
together"
This was agreed to rs readily as
every thing else. and we were taken to
an empty log house a little distance
from the rest and three men detailed
to guard us.
We were each given blanket, and
/ wrapped mine about me and sank
down in corner with the most terri
bic feeling had ever experienced.
NY past life came before me wildly,
and my mother and the home had
so recently left without cause rose up
before me and caused me more bitter
anguish than it seemed l could endure.
Ny companions hardened by des-
peratc life ard perhaps BY former hair
breadth escapes. conversed in whispers
for some time and seemed to take it
very cooily. After some time the lead
or said:
Young TELLER. reckon ye got o
dance on air long with us"
Whether replied or not do not re-
member, bat he continued:
I'm mighty sorry we got We into it.
but we lowed we'd get way all right.
Eff thew swing We ies' keep up and show